2002-10-01

Normal - Sirup, pig hips & Phillips 66

I bought some maple sirup from Glaida Funk at Funks Grove Maple Sirup. That's not a misspelling. As far back as the 1920s Hazel Funk Holmes insisted on writing it this way to make a distinction between their excellent product and ordinary syrup. And this is no ordinary sirup. They make only 1,200 gallons a year so be sure to get your order in early in the season before they are sold out.

I stopped to visit the famous Dixie Truck Stop and see its Route 66 hall of fame. I got on my bike to leave, started the engine and began to ride away when I heard someone shouting at me. It was Elaine Mariolle and she wanted to ask me some questions about my travels along Route 66. She is working on a book and even a doctorate on the history of Route 66. I wish I could have been more helpful answering her questions but I'm just getting started on my trip and there wasn't much to say. Still, it was a pleasant conversation and I hope to be more helpful if we get the chance to talk in the future. Good luck to you, Elaine!

Ernie Edwards' famous Pig-Hip restaurant was open from 1937 to 1991. Its doors will reopen soon as a museum. Maybe you'll be able to get a tasty pig-hip sandwich again?

Frank Cohlrus who, with his wife Jackie, runs Die Cast Auro Sales out of an old gas station on Route 66 in Williamsville, Illinois. There is an antique sign out front offering gas for $0.34 per gallon but Frank is just hamming for the camera. The pumps haven't run in decades. Just last week someone pulled up to the pump and was awfully upset to discover they didn't really sell gas for $0.34!

Phillips developed a new, more powerful gasoline and was trying to think of a name for it. One day two of the company executives were driving a car and the driver was going a little faster than usual. His passenger asked him how fast they were moving. The driver looked at the speedometer and answered, "66." Just then they passed a road sign for Route 66. "That's it! We'll call it Phillips 66!"

I visited Lincoln's tomb in Springfield, Illinois. President Lincoln, his wife, and three of his four sons are interred there. The fourth, Robert Todd Lincoln, and the only one to reach adulthood, is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. I was surprised to learn there are no surviving descendents of President Lincoln.

Here I am with Bill Shea at Shea's service station; a classic landmark on Route 66.

A chopped Honda CB750. You don't see many of these anymore but they were all the rage in the 70s for bikers who wanted the Easyrider look but couldn't afford, or didn't want, a Harley. They have developed a kind of mystique all their own.

Route 66? I would say, definitely, yes.

My left turn signal isn't working. I suspected the bulb was burned out but on inspection it appeared to be ok. I stopped at Action Cycle in Litchfield to ask them to look at it. Touring in the US just isn't the same. There are motorcycle dealers almost everywhere you go. I am so spoiled.

They were just about to close but they agreed to take a look. The mechanic wiggled some wires and the turn signal began working. A bad connection somewhere. I had no time to leave it overnight and as long as it was just a loose connection involving the turn signal I could be on my way and deal with it later. Feeling a little foolish, I made a mental note to try the highly technical test of wiggling wires before bringing my next electrical problem to a dealer.

Rich Henry of Henry's Route 66 Rabbit Ranch, home of 'Snortin' Norton'.

The sign at the edge of town says, "Welcome to Normal." Shortly later I drove through two towns named Shirley and McLean. I can't put my finger on it but something just doesn't seem right here.